"The adult public's taste is not necessarily ready to accept the logical solutions to their requirements if the solution implies too vast a departure from what they have been conditioned into accepting as the norm." - Raymond Loewy
Make products that YouTubers want to show off and unbox. CNC'd front face with sheet metal and PEMS for the rest. Reduced labour costs in assembly and reduced part costs in the BOM. Designed to look good and give the client higher margins. That is what good design should do.
I wonder what revenue Apple has generated by people losing one airpod. Although they are brilliantly engineered product. Is this good design for the consumer or Apple. Same with putting glass on the BACK of the phone.
Before I get quotes back from local machinists, the parts are already on my desk. $30 each. Ordered last Wednesday. This is a problem. Clients want things yesterday.
Brett Hooper retweeted
Please God! Trillions are being spent on data centres and AI chips, but the investment in design and UX seems to be zero.
Soon, someone will come along with a B-plus model and an A-plus interface and VHS the whole thing.
The Blackberry was objectively much better than the first Iphone. – at Black Corner, England
A Canadian GDP recession is a good thing for me. I'll actually get better service and manufacturers will answer my quotation emails in less than 24 hrs and not act like they doing me a favour.
We get portfolios and job applications from around the world and one thing I've noticed. They ALL look the same. Algorithmic design is making designers look boring and no portfolio is standing out. They now all feel like my Pinterest feed.
I started my design career 28 years today. I still don't know anything and wing everything.
But I do know I'm doing my best work. Having the most fun and still don't have a portfolio.
My 6 hour Uni studio design class will be broken into 3 segments this year:
1. How to think (designing without digital software)
2. How to make (working with your hands and making mistakes)
3. How to be socially intelligent (observing the world, connecting with humans)
#3 is not part of the learning outcomes. Universities are slow to adapt to what I think is an important skill to have. The kids have been raised with laptops in class and have lost the greatest part of life. Connecting with other humans to solve human problems.
Everywhere I travel, the majority I meet are very welcoming and helpful. The real world is a great place.
Updated my site. Again, it's not a portfolio site. It's mostly for dating younger women. bretthooper.com





